7th Jul, 2020 10:00

Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Unshaken)

 
  Lot 62
 

62

[M] JOHN WILSON CARMICHAEL (BRITISH, 1800-1868) The capture of 'El Gamo' (32) by H.M.S. 'Speedy' (14)

JOHN WILSON CARMICHAEL (BRITISH, 1800-1868)

The capture of 'El Gamo' (32) by H.M.S. 'Speedy' (14) under the command of Thomas, Lord Cochrane, 6th May 1801

Signed 'J.W. Carmichael' (lower right)

Watercolour heightened with scratching out

7¼ x 9½in. (18 x 24cm.)

One of the most audacious bluffs in the history of fighting sail, Lord Thomas Cochrane in his tiny 14-gun brig Speedy (with a reduced crew of just 54) was sighted by the 32-gun Spanish frigate El Gamo and, instead of fleeing, Cochrane closed on her. At 9.30am, the Gamo fired a gun and hoisted Spanish colours, in return Cochrane hoisted American colours and the Spanish hesitated, allowing Cochrane to get closer, hoist British colours, and evade the first broadside. Gamo fired another, which Cochrane again evaded, holding his fire until Speedy ran alongside and locked yards. Gamo attempted to fire upon her smaller opponent, but her guns were mounted too high and could not be depressed sufficiently, causing their shot to pass through Speedy's sails and rigging. Cochrane then opened fire with his 4-pounders double- and treble-shotted, their shots passing up through the sides and decks, the first broadside killing the Spanish captain and boatswain. Seeing their disadvantage the Spanish second-in-command assembled a boarding party, at which Cochrane drew off, pounded their massed ranks with shot and musket fire, before drawing in close again. Having had their attempts to board frustrated three times, the Spanish returned to their guns. Cochrane then decided to board the Gamo, and assembled his entire crew into two parties, leaving only the ship's doctor to command and crew Speedy and rushed the Gamo, boarding from bow and waist, the boarders at the bow had their faces blackened to look like pirates. The Spanish faltered at this, and were then set-upon by the party that had boarded from the waist. There was a hard-fought battle between the two crews, until Cochrane called down to the doctor, at the time the only person on Speedy, ordering him to send the rest of the men over. At the same time he ordered the Spanish colours to be torn down. Thinking that their officers had surrendered the ship, the remaining Spanish seamen stopped fighting.The incident inspired Patrick O'Brien's book 'Master & Commander'.

Sold for £595
Estimated at £500 - £700

(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)


 

JOHN WILSON CARMICHAEL (BRITISH, 1800-1868)

The capture of 'El Gamo' (32) by H.M.S. 'Speedy' (14) under the command of Thomas, Lord Cochrane, 6th May 1801

Signed 'J.W. Carmichael' (lower right)

Watercolour heightened with scratching out

7¼ x 9½in. (18 x 24cm.)

One of the most audacious bluffs in the history of fighting sail, Lord Thomas Cochrane in his tiny 14-gun brig Speedy (with a reduced crew of just 54) was sighted by the 32-gun Spanish frigate El Gamo and, instead of fleeing, Cochrane closed on her. At 9.30am, the Gamo fired a gun and hoisted Spanish colours, in return Cochrane hoisted American colours and the Spanish hesitated, allowing Cochrane to get closer, hoist British colours, and evade the first broadside. Gamo fired another, which Cochrane again evaded, holding his fire until Speedy ran alongside and locked yards. Gamo attempted to fire upon her smaller opponent, but her guns were mounted too high and could not be depressed sufficiently, causing their shot to pass through Speedy's sails and rigging. Cochrane then opened fire with his 4-pounders double- and treble-shotted, their shots passing up through the sides and decks, the first broadside killing the Spanish captain and boatswain. Seeing their disadvantage the Spanish second-in-command assembled a boarding party, at which Cochrane drew off, pounded their massed ranks with shot and musket fire, before drawing in close again. Having had their attempts to board frustrated three times, the Spanish returned to their guns. Cochrane then decided to board the Gamo, and assembled his entire crew into two parties, leaving only the ship's doctor to command and crew Speedy and rushed the Gamo, boarding from bow and waist, the boarders at the bow had their faces blackened to look like pirates. The Spanish faltered at this, and were then set-upon by the party that had boarded from the waist. There was a hard-fought battle between the two crews, until Cochrane called down to the doctor, at the time the only person on Speedy, ordering him to send the rest of the men over. At the same time he ordered the Spanish colours to be torn down. Thinking that their officers had surrendered the ship, the remaining Spanish seamen stopped fighting.The incident inspired Patrick O'Brien's book 'Master & Commander'.

Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Unshaken), 7th Jul, 2020

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